Don't Use Stolen Parts To Build A Frankenstein Car

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Some of nan coolest builds we've seen are Frankensteined together from various philanthropist vehicles. Some, like this manual-swapped V8 Mercedes GLK, are truthful good assembled that from nan outside, you can't show that thing typical lies beneath. But this Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk retired of Raleigh, North Carolina is an unfortunate monster; it was built connected an older frame, 1 that had been reported stolen.

Raleigh, North Carolina, constabulary spotted nan Jeep parked extracurricular a store, WRAL reports. According to a hunt warrant, nan serviceman checked nan registration, compared VINs, and recovered that while nan conveyance appeared to beryllium a top-of-the-line 2018 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk, nan VIN stamped connected nan framework belonged to a 2015 Jeep Cherokee Overland. While nan Overland framework appears to person been obtained legally, nan Trailhawk that donated its parts to nan build had been stolen. Police arrested nan proprietor and charged him with possession of stolen spot and altering serial numbers.

Buyer beware

Raleigh constabulary pass that criminals whitethorn build Frankenstein cars retired of stolen and legally obtained parts, past waste them to unwitting customers who can't show nan quality to make a profit. Some states, like Florida, require specified vehicles to beryllium titled arsenic rebuilt aliases assembled from parts. This is different lawsuit wherever a pre-purchase inspection tin find issues for illustration mismatched VINs and prevention you from problem down nan road. If you unknowingly bargain a Frankenstein car containing stolen parts, you whitethorn not beryllium charged pinch a crime, but nan stolen parts will beryllium returned to nan owners, leaving you only pinch what's left, which whitethorn beryllium undrivable.

However, nan Jeep successful this lawsuit appears to person been built for nan owner's individual use, not for resale. Receipts from retailers and junkyards can beryllium that you obtained each of your parts legally. That's easy if you bargain from a business. If you bargain from a backstage seller, do your champion to make judge they're not immoderate sketchy chop shop. Ad postings and eBay auctions tin help, arsenic they archive wherever nan parts came from.

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